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“Danza de Andalucia” is the debut recording from new flameco/fusion group, Asgeir & Mo. Asgeir is virtuoso flamenco guitarist Asgeir Aaroen, and Mo is classically trained violinist Bjarte Mo. On most cuts they are also joined by jazz bassist Magnus Rod Haugland and Latin percussionist Gabriel Chicaiza. Some other cuts also feature a variety of other guests, including an occasional string section. The music on here ranges from fleet fingered flameco influenced acoustic world fusion work outs to more melodic and sentimental folk instrumentals. For those who are not familiar with modern flamenco fusion, the popular music of Stranz and Farah might make a good comparison, especially since both groups use Latin American percussion rhythms as well as occasional Middle Eastern melodies. Also, the guitar work of Paco de Lucia may ring familiar to others, although I would say that Aaroen’s approach to the guitar may be a bit more refined or classical than de Lucia. When Asgeir and Mo play their rapid unison lines one might also be reminded of the technical passages covered by the guitar-violin duo of John McLaughlin and L Shankar.
I think fans of modern flamenco will find a lot to like here. Asgeir Aaroen is a highly technical player with a very clean and exact technique. Jazz fans will probably prefer the fusion numbers, but the softer instrumentals also give this CD cross appeal to fans of contemporary instrumental music as well.